Today, Mayor Olivia Chow presented the Key to the City to acclaimed filmmaker, writer and activist Sarah Polley, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to cinema and her unwavering advocacy for Canadian stories and voices.
The honour was bestowed during xoTO House, an annual event hosted by the Mayor, the City of Toronto and Toronto’s screen industry leaders to celebrate Toronto’s role as a leading hub for film production and storytelling.
Born and raised in Toronto, Polley has become one of Canada’s most distinctive cinematic voices. She rose to prominence as a beloved young actor in Road to Avonlea and The Sweet Hereafter, before emerging as an internationally recognized filmmaker with Away from Her (2006), which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Her acclaimed works – Take This Waltz, Stories We Tell and Women Talking – reflect her distinct empathy and exploration of memory, identity and resilience. Women Talking received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2023, cementing her as a leading global filmmaker.
Polley has received numerous honours, including a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada and an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto. Through her commitment to equity, ethical filmmaking and fearless truth-telling, she continues to shape global cinema while championing bold and honest storytelling rooted in her hometown.
Toronto as a film hub
Toronto’s screen industry is a cornerstone of the city’s creative economy, anchored by a skilled workforce of over 40,000 professionals and supported by 3 million sq. ft. of world-class studios and award-winning post-production and VFX facilities. As one of North America’s top five production hubs, Toronto draws global productions to its diverse locations, renowned crews and film-friendly infrastructure, reaching an annual production spend of $2.6 billion.
Each September, the city’s role as a global screen industry leader is showcased through the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the world’s largest public film festival, welcoming 700,000 attendees and generating more than $240 million in economic impact.
About the Key to the City
The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto and who have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City is Toronto’s highest honour granted by the Mayor to an individual or a group.
More information, including a list of past recipients, is available on the City’s Key to the City website.
Mayor Chow invites residents to share their suggestions for individuals they believe should receive the Key to the City. To nominate someone who has made a meaningful impact on Toronto, visit the Mayor's website.
Quotes:
“Sarah Polley’s work has touched audiences around the world while always remaining true to Toronto and Canadian stories. Her films challenge us to reflect, to care, and to imagine better futures. Today we celebrate her with the Key to the City, Toronto’s highest honour.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“I’m very moved to receive this honour from the incredible city I have lived in my whole life.”
– Sarah Polley, Recipient, Key to the City
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.